Why photos are so important
Parents usually develop a strong emotional relationship with their baby before birth, throughoutpregnancy. But if the baby dies before, during or shortly after birth, the parents usually only have a few tangible memories of their baby.
This is why creating and collecting tangible memories is immensely important for a loving and conscious farewell to the baby. In addition to hand and footprints (for more ideas see here and here), this also includes emphatic and dignified photographs of the dying or already deceased baby.
A picture - as testimony to the existence - or death - of your little one
A picture - a testimony to being parents
A picture - as an aid for fading, visual memories
A picture - as a way to share the grief with others
A picture - as possibly the only memento for family and friends
A picture - as an important part of the grieving and healing process
A picture - to shot that the child belongs to the family
A picture - as proof of how much the child was loved
A picture - as an illustration of the child's history and history of the family
A picture - as a link between memories and emotions
When faced with such a situation parents are understandably besides themselves; it seems like a bad dream. That makes pictures all the more important for later on, when it has sunk in.
Sometimes parents don’t want photos after birth. They are in shock and perhaps they want to forget everything as quickly as possible. As they process what has happened, they may regret not having pictures. By then it is usually too late, as the baby may have been buried.
BUT - you can have photos taken and look at them if and when you feel ready. You can put them in a box and take them out to have a look whenever you want - be that after a week a month, or a few years down the line.